Flight Attendant Union Statement on FAA Capacity Cuts
WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 5, 2025) — The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA President Sara Nelson, representing 55,000 Flight Attendants at 20 airlines, released the following statement after the FAA’s announcement of a 10% reduction of capacity in 40 markets starting Friday:
“Safety is not a political game. Recent events in aviation should sober us all and redirect an urgent call to work together to keep Americans safe.
“The only way aviation keeps moving during a shutdown is because air traffic controllers and TSA officers come to work without getting paid, while everyone who supports their work for our safety and security is sent home without pay. Cutting capacity is a regular tool used to keep aviation safe when increased risks are present.
“The false narrative that this shutdown is a choice of either paying federal workers or protecting affordable healthcare is outrageous when both crises were manufactured by the exact people who can fix it. End this shutdown NOW.
“Let’s be clear - this shutdown is the latest cruel attack on federal workers in a never-ending effort to demoralize dedicated civil servants and veterans in order to privatize all functions of government - in service to the greed of a few at the expense of the many.
“Flight Attendants are on the front lines of aviation safety. We count on federal workers being able to do their jobs without distraction. End this shutdown NOW.
“We know what happens when the planes stop and the impact of the shutdown is felt by all. People won’t get medicine. Packages won’t be delivered. Restaurants and grocery stores won’t have food. People won’t get to medical treatment or be able to rush to the side of a loved one in pain or dying. The economy stops. The country stops. It is starting to happen and it is not okay!
“Congress: End this shutdown now and stop the cruel attacks on all Americans.”
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The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA is the Flight Attendant union. AFA has been the leader in advancing the Flight Attendant profession for over 80 years. Serving as the voice for Flight Attendants in the workplace, in the aviation industry, in the media and on Capitol Hill, AFA has transformed the Flight Attendant profession by raising wages, benefits, working conditions, and public awareness about the role of aviation’s first responders. Over 55,000 Flight Attendants come together to form AFA, part of the 500,000-member strong Communications Workers of America (CWA), AFL-CIO. Visit us at www.afacwa.org.
